Domestic Violence and Child Abuse Linked

Introduction

Researchers have long been aware of the link between domestic violence and child abuse. Even if children are witnesses to acts of violence and not the intended targets, they can be affected in the same ways as children who are physically and sexually abused.¹ Since domestic violence is a pattern of behavior, not a single event, episodes may become more severe and more frequent over time, resulting in an increased likelihood that the children eventually become victims. The following offers some commonly asked questions and answers about domestic violence and its relationship to child abuse. This information is available in the form of an NCPA fact sheet. To request a copy, call (312) 663-3520 and ask for the Communications Team.

How Common are these problems?

Domestic violence is a widespread problem with long-term consequences to the abuser, the victim, and all family members. Recent surveys indicate that increased public awareness about domestic violence, along with a more understanding attitude toward victims, has encouraged women to come forward and admit to abuse.² In a survey conducted in early 1995, 31 percent of women said they had personally faced abuse, while in a similar survey conducted in July 1994 only 24 percent admitted to abuse.²

Child abuse has become a national epidemic. According to NCPA’s 1995 national report on the incidence of child abuse, more than one million children are confirmed each year as victims of child abuse and neglect, and every day a minimum of three children dies a result. The report lists violence in the home as a major factor contributing to the growth of reports of child abuse and neglect.³

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How does domestic violence affect children?

Domestic violence often includes child abuse. Children may be victimized and threatened³ as a way of punishing and controlling the adult victim of domestic violence. Or they may be injured unintentionally when acts of violence occur in their presence. Often episodes of domestic violence expand to include attacks on children. However, even when children are not directly attacked, they can experience serious emotional damage as a result of living in a violent household. Parents involved in domestic violence teach their children that this behavior is acceptable.

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Are there similarities between families involved in domestic violence and families involved in child abuse?

The two populations share several similarities as well as some important differences. Both forms of abuse cross all boundaries of economic level, race, ethnic heritage, and religious faith. Both forms of abuse are identified by patterns. Domestic violence and child abuse occur with some regularity, often increasing and becoming more serious as internal barriers against these types of behavior come down. Adults who were abused as children have an increased risk of abusing their children, and adults who grew up in a violent home are more likely to become perpetrators or victims of domestic violence. For a number of reasons including shame, secrecy, and isolation, both types of abuse are underreported.

Domestic violence and child abuse also differ in some significant ways. Parental stress is an important factor in instances of child abuse, but this link has not been established in cases of domestic violence. Perpetrators of child abuse are divided equally between men and women, but the majority of perpetrators of domestic violence are men.

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How can we prevent these problems?

Domestic violence and child abuse proliferate in an environment that accepts the lesser status of women and children. Shrouding the violence in secrecy allows this behavior to continue. Educating the public about the extent of the problem establishes a foundation that permits victims to come forward and admit to the abuse.

Prevention efforts that reach parents before or soon after the birth of their baby, and provide intensive services on a moderately long-term basis can greatly reduce the incidence of child abuse. For example home visitors take a comprehensive approach to individual families and tailor their services to match the family’s needs.

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References

1. Goodman, G., and M. Rosenberg. 1987. The child witness to family violence:Clinical and legal considerations. Domestic violence on trial: Psychological and legal dimensions of family violence. Edited by D. Sonkin. New York:Springer. (back)
2. Lieberman Research Inc., 1996. Domestic violence advertising campaign tracking survey, Wave 3, November 1995. San Francisco, California; Family Violence Prevention Fund and the Advertising Council. (back)
3. Lung, C.T. and D. Daro. 1996. Current trends in child abuse reporting and fatalities: The results of the 1995 annual fifty state survey. Chicago, Illinois: National Committee to Prevent Child Abuse. (back)